Around 5,000 years ago, a colossal volcanic eruption plunged northern Europe into darkness, casting a shadow over the sun and threatening the survival of Neolithic communities. In a desperate bid to restore light and fertility to their lands, a Danish settlement on the island of Bornholm, located 150 kilometers southeast of Copenhagen, turned to an unusual ritual: burying intricately carved sun stones. Archaeologists have recently uncovered these mysterious artifacts, linking their burial to the catastrophic volcanic event that reshaped their world.
“The engravings on these stones frequently enough depict sun and field motifs,which strongly suggests they were used as offerings to boost agricultural fertility and coax the sun back into the sky,” explains Rune Iversen,an archaeologist and associate professor at the University of Copenhagen. He is also a co-author of the study published in the journal Antiquity. “The timing of these deposits—around 2900 BC—aligns perfectly with the volcanic eruption,leading us to connect the two events.”
The first of these sun stones were discovered in 1995 at Rispebjerg on Bornholm, but the majority were unearthed between 2013 and 2018 at vasagård, just 10 kilometers away. To date, over 600 engraved stones have been excavated, all dating back to 2900 BC.While earlier theories suggested these stones served as calendars or game pieces, Iversen proposes a more profound purpose. “These stones were likely ‘sown’ into the earth,much like seeds,” he says. “The act of burying images of the sun and fields may have been a symbolic attempt to rejuvenate agriculture and restore the sun’s warmth.”
The eruption in question ranks as the 15th most powerful volcanic event of the Holocene, the current geological epoch. Yet, its exact location remains unknown. “Traces of the eruption have been found in ice cores from both Greenland and Antarctica, suggesting it occurred near the equator,” Iversen notes. “Its impact, however, was felt far beyond, affecting regions as distant as central and northern Europe and even the United States.”
while the study focuses on the Danish community, the eruption coincided with broader upheavals across Europe, marking a period often referred to as the “Neolithic decline.” this era was characterized by plague, population loss, and widespread reforestation. “the eruption likely exacerbated these crises, leading to important cultural and demographic shifts,” iversen explains. “one notable change was the migration of people from the steppes north of the Black Sea into Europe, which reshaped the continent’s genetic and cultural landscape.”
Past records from the Mediterranean region describe a similar volcanic event in 43 BC, now identified as originating in Alaska.This eruption caused years of frigid weather, crop failures, famine, and disease—echoing the challenges faced by the Neolithic communities of 2900 BC. “These parallels highlight the profound and far-reaching consequences of such natural disasters,” Iversen adds.
The discovery of the sun stones has opened new avenues of inquiry.“We’re eager to pinpoint the volcano’s location and understand its full impact on Eurasia,” Iversen says. “Could it have influenced—or even triggered—the migration of steppe herders into Europe during the early third millennium BC? If so, this event may have been a pivotal driver of the genetic and cultural transformations that define ancient Europe.”
What is the significance of the volcanic eruption in relation to the Neolithic sun stones of Bornholm?
Interview with dr. Rune Iversen: Uncovering the Secrets of Neolithic sun Stones
By Archyde News Editor
Archyde: Dr. Iversen, thank you for joining us today. Your recent revelation of the Neolithic sun stones on the island of Bornholm has captured the imagination of many. Can you tell us more about these artifacts adn their significance?
Dr. Iversen: Thank you for having me. The sun stones are truly engaging. These small, flat shale pieces are intricately carved with motifs of the sun and agricultural fields. They were buried around 5,000 years ago by a Neolithic community on Bornholm, likely as part of a ritual to restore sunlight and fertility to their lands. The engravings suggest a deep connection between their survival and the natural world, particularly the sun.
Archyde: What led you to connect these stones to a volcanic eruption?
Dr. Iversen: The timing was key. The stones were buried around 2900 BC, which coincides with a massive volcanic eruption that plunged northern Europe into darkness. This event would have had catastrophic effects on agriculture and daily life. The community likely interpreted the prolonged darkness as a sign that the sun was abandoning them. In response, they turned to ritual offerings, hoping to coax the sun back into the sky and ensure their survival.
Archyde: How did the community create these stones, and what do the engravings tell us about their beliefs?
Dr.Iversen: The stones were meticulously crafted from shale, a material that was readily available in the region. the engravings depict sun motifs, often surrounded by patterns resembling fields or crops. This suggests a belief in the sun’s power to sustain life and fertility. The act of burying these stones may have been seen as a way to communicate with the sun or the forces of nature, asking for its return.
Archyde: Were these rituals unique to Bornholm, or do we see similar practices elsewhere in neolithic Europe?
Dr.Iversen: While the sun stones themselves are unique to Bornholm, similar sun-related rituals have been documented in other parts of Neolithic Europe.Such as, passage graves in southern europe often align with the solstices, indicating a reverence for the sun’s cycles. However, the direct connection to a volcanic event and the specific use of carved stones as offerings make the Bornholm discovery particularly compelling.
Archyde: What does this discovery tell us about the resilience and ingenuity of Neolithic communities?
Dr. Iversen: It’s a testament to their adaptability and resourcefulness. Faced with a crisis that threatened their very survival, they turned to both practical and spiritual solutions. The creation and burial of these stones reflect a deep understanding of their environment and a profound connection to the natural world. It’s a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, human communities find ways to persevere.
Archyde: what’s next for your research? Are there more mysteries to uncover on Bornholm?
Dr.Iversen: Absolutely. Bornholm is a treasure trove of Neolithic history, and we’ve onyl scratched the surface. We’re planning further excavations to explore other ritual sites and artifacts that could shed more light on how these communities responded to environmental crises.There’s still so much to learn about their beliefs, practices, and resilience.
Archyde: Thank you, Dr. Iversen,for sharing your insights. This discovery is a remarkable window into the lives of our Neolithic ancestors, and we look forward to following your future research.
Dr. Iversen: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure.
end of Interview
This interview highlights the groundbreaking work of Dr. Rune Iversen and his team, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and practical lives of Neolithic communities during a time of crisis. The sun stones of Bornholm are not just artifacts; they are a testament to humanity’s enduring quest to understand and influence the forces of nature.
